Darci Ann Baker
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dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Darci Ann Baker
@dabakerauthor.bsky.social
460 followers 210 following 220 posts
Romance Author, Scorpio, sailor, animal lover, professional shower, Chicago North Romance Writers, she/her 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Separation Game:
https://books2read.com/separationgame

Secrets We Keep:
https://books2read.com/readsecretswekeep

Website: darciannbaker.com
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dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Darci Ann Baker @dabakerauthor.bsky.social · Sep 2
I'm super excited to announce my debut's available to even more readers!

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia
#romancereaders
#separationgame
Now available on Kobo Plus Image of ereader with Separation Game cover (gold and dark brown chessboard. Black queen standing over the white king and simple wedding bands
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#smutcember first attraction. Lyric notices Zane's eyes. She describes them as ombre blue. She's also curious about the tattoos peeking out from under his jacket sleeve.
She's wearing a knee length coat so the only thing Zane notices are her green eyes and her legs as she walks away.
#secretswekeep
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 14h
To wrap our first week of #Smutcember, tell us:

What do your characters find *physically* attractive about each other? (We'll get into the more intangible traits later.)

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#Smutcember, a Bluesky writing prompt game hosted by @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social & @hookandquillpress.com Blurry black & white background that looks like a couple heavily making out. Prompt: 7) What is something that your characters find physically attractive about the other(s)?
December 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#smutcember first kiss. Orchestra teacher Zane and kindergarten teacher Lyric are at the high school after hours. Up until now she's fought the progression of their relationship.

#SecretsWeKeep
Time slows. The world shrinks as I close the gap between us. Zane’s eyes dilate, the darkness of his pupils eclipsing the pale blue centers. The slight stubble on his jaw scrapes against the fingertips of my free hand. His scent is stronger this close, a combination of cloves, leather, and cedar, along with an undertone of warm, salty exertion. “This is such a bad idea,” I warn as his hand comes up to cup my jaw.  “Reckless,” he adds before bending down, teasing the corner of my mouth with light brushes of his lips, before taking my mouth properly, his tongue slipping in. A growl rumbles through his chest, guttural, impatient, and insanely sexy.  My fingers sift through his silky hair, my skin heating with desire as Zane deepens our kiss. His hand slips between the slit in my dress, his touch searing my bare skin.    A loud tap-tap echoes around the room, putting my need for this man on hold as effectively as an ice bath. 
December 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Happy Friday, #smutcember!
I tend to cram a lot in the space between my characters' awareness of each other and their first conversation. There's a lot of internal arguments and lusting going on. I also love putting my characters in emotionally vulnerable or awkward situations and see how they adapt
tlmatson.bsky.social TL Matson @tlmatson.bsky.social · 2d
This is a hard one to pinpoint an answer for. It takes lots of things: banter, attraction (friend or lover wise), internals, externals. But I think, really, it all comes down to show over tell.

#SmutCember #WriteSky #Romancelandia #Booksky
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 2d
#Smutcember, it's time to talk about our work! To start off:

How do you build chemistry between your characters? You can speak in general terms or give specific examples, whichever you prefer.

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
December 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Hi #smutcember! I'm more Venn diagram than circle.

I write mainly mainstream MF contemporary romance, but I enjoy reading MM and my friend, Kelly Farmer, writes sweet sapphic romances that I adore! I also love authors Joey W. Hill and Jade West, but I probably wouldn't attempt their level of smut:)
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 3d
Last establishing question, #Smutcember:

Do you read different kinds of smut than you write, or is that Venn diagram a circle?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#Smutcember, a Bluesky writing prompt game hosted by @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social & @hookandquillpress.com Blurry black & white background that looks like a couple heavily making out. Prompt: Do you read different kinds of smut than you write, or is that Venn diagram a circle?
December 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | city
I would totally be Cynthia. If I was rich. And had way more confidence

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
At fifty-three, I made more money in a week that I did in an entire year when I’d been twenty-five. I was the president of one of the top brokerage firms in the city. My home was paid off. My investment portfolio guaranteed a more-than-comfortable retirement. When I retired. If I retire. Why the hell would I want to get married? Engagement Game
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
I enjoy both but for different reasons.

Writing is about creating. Expressing my characters' thoughts, pushing their boundaries and pleasures. 

Reading is learning. Collecting ideas. Dissecting scenes and discovering what works and what doesn't and applying those elements into my work.
#smutcember
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 4d
Continuing our #Smutcember setup:

Do you have a preference between reading smut or writing it, or perhaps engaging with it in a different form of media entirely? If so, what about that form of engagement appeals to you the most?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#Smutcember, a Bluesky writing prompt game hosted by @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social & @hookandquillpress.com Blurry black & white background that looks like a couple heavily making out. Prompt: Do you prefer to read or write smut?
December 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | dominant 

I think we know where this is going
#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#engagementgame
“Keep still.” I couldn’t help but smile at the sternness of his voice. And he calls me bossy? Not that I didn’t appreciate the dominant side of my straight-laced professor. I appreciated him very much. “Travis, if you don’t put your mouth on me right now I’m going to lose my mind.” I also liked pushing his buttons to see how far he’d let me. Engagement Game
December 3, 2025 at 2:07 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Hey #Smutcember! I have very few limits on heat levels as long as the scenes are written well and move the story forward.
In my debut I pulled out a sex scene between my mfc and a man who wasn't her li. The fact they had sex was a catalyst, but the actual act would have been gratuitous in my opinion
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 5d
As we continue into #Smutcember, it's important to know:

What is your spice comfort level? Does it vary between what you enjoy privately and what you're willing to share? Do you have hard boundaries for what you engage with?

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#Smutcember, a bluesky writing prompt game hosted by @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social & @hookandquillpress.com Blurry black & white background that looks like a couple heavily making out. Prompt: What is your spice comfort level?
December 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | percent

Teaser: things are about to get embarrassing

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#secretswekeep
Zane rubs his hands together. “So what are we doing? Coloring? Stringing beads? Painting?” I laugh because he’s a tiny bit ridiculous in a cute way. “Nothing that creative. We’re cutting paper.”  “Okay.” There’s a notable lack of excitement in his voice. Not that I blame him. Ninety PERCENT of my classroom project prep involves scissors. Secrets We Keep
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
Hi #Smutcember I'm Darci and I write open door contemporary romance, sometimes with a sprinkling of suspense.

I will be talking about Zane and Lyric from my latest wip, Secrets We Keep. 

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#secretswekeep
lizzieblackwood.bsky.social Lizzie Blackwood @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social · 6d
Welcome to #Smutcember, folks!

To start things off, introduce yourself and the work(s) or characters you plan on discussing this month. You can focus on one relationship or several, it's up to you!

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
#Smutcember, a bluesky writing prompt game hosted by @lizzieblackwood.bsky.social & @hookandquillpress.com Blurry black & white background that looks like a couple heavily making out. Prompt: Introduce yourself and your participating works or characters.
December 1, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Reposted by Darci Ann Baker
scarinasvault.bsky.social
My mom just told me her friend tried to buy my book on Amazon and it’s temporarily sold out. 🥹 Now I need a favor: if you bought my book it would be so helpful if you could leave a review. I don’t care if it’s Amazon, Goodreads or my publisher’s website. Let me tell you why this is important.
December 1, 2025 at 12:39 AM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | belong

This wip releases in two months! Preorder link in my bio

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#secretswekeep
Silence descends for a moment as we put distance between us and the school. Just the steady rhythm of our shoes on the sidewalk and the slightly less steady rhythm of my hammering heart. Grace better be right about this guy. I haven’t been alone with a man in over three years. And the last time… I force the next breath into my cold lungs and shove that unpleasant memory back into the deep hole where it belongs. Secrets We Keep
December 1, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Reposted by Darci Ann Baker
kellyfarmerauthor.bsky.social
✨This cozy, sweet sapphic romance with adorable rescue dogs & magical drag queens is on mega sale!✨
Grab the eBook of IT'S A FABULOUS LIFE for yourself and/or a friend. Get it from Bookshop.org to support your favorite local indie bookstore on Small Business Saturday!
bit.ly/3M8H8zF
Image with a blue background and the red illustrated book cover for It's a Fabulous Life in the center with the text "It's a fabulous sale! eBook for just $1.99! Limited time!"
November 29, 2025 at 6:40 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | disorganize

I had to dig a little for today's word and ended up with messy.  

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#capturingknight
My heart slammed into my ribs and my mouth dried as we closed the distance to my building. In two minutes Gordon Knight would be in my apartment.  Sitting on my sofa and touching my things. Touching me. My thoughts raced, trying to remember if I’d left any underwear lying out. Not that I was messy, but it was possible.  Capturing Knight
November 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | impede
Went with prevent for this one.

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#secretswekeep
The thought of Lyric cooking something fancy is laughable. She scrambles eggs to death and calls them omelets, is a whiz with a can opener, and does a fair job with grilled cheese as long as she doesn’t get distracted. An actual dinner would be interesting, but her narrowed eyes and crossed arms prevent me from saying so. Secrets We Keep
November 26, 2025 at 1:53 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | system

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romancereaders
#engagementgame
Engagement Game He pulled his wire-rimmed glasses off and set them on the nightstand. I’d never seen Travis in glasses, but in my dream they completed my professor fantasy. Kind of like the sport coat.   Of course it was a dream. How else could I explain the fact Travis had breached my security system? Or the fact my pajamas were gone?
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | debut

I don't have debut, but I do have both beginning and start in this snip from my debut novel

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
I turned away from that thought and snatched the can of cinnamon spice air freshener off the nightstand, laying down a heavy fog as I walked around the room. Last week I’d bought it to celebrate the beginning of September and the unofficial start of fall. Now, I just needed it to mask Derek’s Tom Ford cologne that seemed to have permeated our entire bedroom. I gave the mattress an extra heavy coat along with a disdainful look.  Separation Game
November 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | special

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#secretswekeep
Thank god I’m singing someone else’s words, because right now I’m not sure I’d be able to express my thoughts. Whatever this thing is between me and Lyric, it goes way beyond lust. Which is sorta crazy since we’ve barely met. But I can’t help but feel there’s something special about her, something that’s about to turn my life upside down and inside out. Secrets We Keep
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | third

I think it's a date

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#secretswekeep
I squash that thought down while inhaling the slice in my hand. Zane chuckles when I reach for seconds—okay, maybe thirds. But this isn’t a date. I’m not here to impress him with my ladylike table manners and dainty eating habits. Those are reserved for dates, and this isn’t a date. Secrets We Keep
November 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | retrograde
Had to pull out the thesaurus for this one. Cudos to anyone who actually has this word in their wip.

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#separationgame
“You know what they say. Once a cheater always a cheater… and Derek's a really good cheater. You won’t even see it coming,” I said, and then walked away, heading toward the field of celebrating players without a backward glance. Separation Game
November 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | spend

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#secretswekeep
“You don’t trust me.” His smile fades and his expression turns serious. “I get it. But I’d like to change that. And I can’t if we don’t SPEND time together. But that’s your decision… Stay or go, I’ll do whatever you tell me.”  Secrets We Keep
November 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | week

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#secretswekeep
Okay, I might have fucked up. Come on a little strong. I don’t know. I was going on instinct. How was I to know my grocery-store angel was the same woman Grace mentioned last WEEK? At least, I didn’t know who she was when I first walked up to Lyric. Secrets We Keep
November 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | build

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
#secretswekeep
Zane squeezes my hand, turning in his seat to face me. My mouth dries and my skin prickles with awareness. Without even looking, I can feel the weight of his gaze and the expectation building as the seconds tick by. Shit, he's going to kiss me. Secrets We Keep
November 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | shirt

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
A quick glance up told me what I already knew. Travis looked good. Today he wore a pair of thigh-hugging worn jeans—not the trendy kind, but from actual wear—and a cranberry-colored t-SHIRT topped with a charcoal tweed sport coat that complemented his silver eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. Professor porn.
November 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
dabakerauthor.bsky.social
#WIPsnips | burger

Searching for burgers in my wips has made me hungry!

#writesky #writercommunity #writingprompts #romancelandia #romamcereaders
"Yeah. I miss the sun and the heat. I miss Leo's tacos and In-N-Out BURGERS. I even miss the Santa Anas, the May Grays, and the June Glooms. But I can't risk it. I have to make it as hard as possible for Gray to find me. I've a new life here and I'm making the best of it." Secrets We Keep
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM